The Canadian War Museum has purchased a Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal for its collection.

Purchased at an auction, Lt.-Col. Robert Shankland’s medal set “is an essential part of the national heritage of all Canadians,” said the museum’s director general Mark O’Neill.

“The story of this great Canadian and his contribution to our history deserves to be preserved in our national military museum.”

“This medal, and the heroism that earned it, are part of our proud history of service and sacrifice,” said Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore.

The medal set was purchased with the assistance of the museum’s National Collection Fund, which enables the war museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization to acquire artifacts that might otherwise be lost to Canadian national heritage.

The war museum now holds 30 of the 94 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in its collection.